Tuition Support Program & Requirements
The Culturally Responsive Child Welfare Education Program (CRCWEP) is a collaborative effort between the School of Social Work and the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS). The program assists students pursuing their Bachelor's (BS, BA, or BSW options) or Master's of Social Work (MSW) degree with a focus of study in child welfare by providing tuition assistance and educational support.
Depending on multiple factors, those who are admitted into both the BSW/MSW Program at Portland State's School of Social Work and Culturally Responsive Child Welfare Education Program (CRCWEP) can receive $6,000-$10,000 per academic year toward tuition.
- CRCWEP tuition assistance is available for fall, winter, spring and summer (if applicable) terms.
- MSW students can receive up to $10,000 per year toward tuition depending on the number of eligible credits registered for each term. All MSW students will participate in a monthly Culturally Responsive Seminar.
- All MSW, Child Welfare Partnership students are in the Culturally Responsive Leaders Program. Students will attend a monthly seminar.
- BSW students in their senior year of the program can receive up to $6,000 to complete their studies.
Required Practicum
While receiving funding from CRCWEP, students must complete one of their practicums in public or tribal Child Welfare. Students are assigned a faculty advisor who will support their educational development throughout the program and a faculty liaison to support their field placement. The CRCWEP team is here to offer additional support to students and advisors who want to collaborate in connecting your education to your Child Welfare career goals. ODHS Child Welfare employees are eligible to apply for an Employed Social Worker option (please see CRCWEP Handbook for more information).
Review Child Welfare Partnership Internship Expectations (PDF)
Payback Obligation
Upon acceptance into CRCWEP and before receiving Title IV-E tuition assistance, accepted students sign an agreement with the Oregon Department of Human Services that details the responsibilities of the agency and the student. The student agrees to work for ODHS in public Child Welfare or for tribal Child Welfare (in one of Oregon's federally recognized tribes) upon graduation from Portland State University’s BSW or MSW program. The payback obligation is one year of employment for every year of tuition support. The exact period of the work obligation varies depending upon the length of each student's participation in CRCWEP.